Chromium is a hard blue white metal, has a brilliant luster used as a plating on other metals.
Chrome bumpers, car body trim, motorcycles, bicycles, Boats rigging's, Bath and Tap ware as well as tons of kitchen appliances are all examples of chrome plating.
The chrome is a think layer protecting a much thicker layer of Nickel, which makes Chrome appear Silver.
Indeed it's not always easy to tell chrome plating from other finishes if the items are not side by side.
When a decorative chrome electroplated finish sits right next to another bright finish, however, the other finish usually won't compare very favorably.
Chrome can be restored to a beautiful lustre and shine.
Here's some what tos and what not tos to help you make your chrome shine like the professionals.
Clean your chrome first Always wash in sudsy water.
Rinse and wipe to restore the shine Don't scour your chrome Never use abrasive cleaners, wire wall, sandpaper or scouring pads to restore your chrome as it will scratch and dull the surface revealing the Nickel below.
If your chrome is scoured or worn back to Nickel or bare metal you will have to take it to a reputable chrome plating shop there see below.
Make surface rust spots disappear in seconds! If your chrome has surface rust marks try using kitchen foil dampened with Coke, the rust will disappear before your eyes! If your part has too much rust or the rust has eaten into the chrome and even the metal below you will need to take it to a reputable chrome plating shop - see list below.
Remove grease and grime in seconds Try using soft cloth dipped in un-diluted White Vinegar or Cider Vinegar to restore your chrome.
For worse deposits of grease of gummy residue soak in a bucket or small tub, remove and rub with a cloth, or paper towel.
How to remove swirl marks After you have cleaned your chrome, if it is hazy, has swirl marks or residue try using a soft cloth and baking soda or Lime to colour it and shine.
Flower works well too.
Baby Oil can give your Chrome a Show Glow! Baby oil can also be used to get your chrome shinning! Put some on a soft cloth and polish to a glow.
Make sure you polish the residue off to limit it's ability to attract dust and dirt.
Fabric softener sheets will also work wonders on chrome! Use new or used fabric softener sheets to restore the chrome-plated fixtures in your bathroom and kitchen.
The chrome will sparkle like new! Use a professional Chrome Polish and Restorer There are some very good polishes made especially for chrome.
If you can't find any locally try searching on Google for Chrome Polish.
Getting your chrome restored by a professional chrome plating shop If you still can't get the world class shine your looking for, go to a reputable chrome plating or chroming company.
They will strip your old chrome, polish up your parts to a flawless mirror and then give it a triple coat of copper, nickel and chrome giving your part that show like finish your looking for.
Getting your chrome work re-plated before it gets too eroded by the elements in key to getting a great re-plating finish.
Although many Chroming shops will take your rusty, tired and eroded chrome work often more than not the final results can sometimes be displeasing.
Chrome Plating is a science to its own.
Any no matter how many coats of copper or chrome they apply chemical reactions caused by oxidization deep in the metal from letting the chrome work go to far can cause all sorts of nasty pits in your finished results.
If you want great results get your chrome work re-done as soon as it starts to fade and before the rust takes hold.